The 9 Cards Spread

pastpresentfuture
superconscious

1

2

3
conscious

4

5

6
subconscious

7

8

9

There are a number of approaches to interpreting a layout of nine Tarot cards. This version is from Holistic Tarot: An Inte­gra­tive Approach to Using Tarot for Personal Growth by Benebell Wen. Please refer to her Web site or her book for more information. Wen’s Web site offers free downloads of study guides, reference materials and worksheets.

Rows may represent the superconscious, conscious, and sub­con­scious minds. Columns may represent the past, present, and probable future.

Interpret each row cohesively and each column cohesively. Interpret columns in terms of time without concern for rows and vice versa; that is, do not blend the interpretations for rows with those for columns but treat them as distinct frames of reference and allow the meanings of the cards to be different between frames.

The central card of each row or column represents the main issue of its group of three cards, and the adjacent cards within the group qualify it.